If you had a really good battery, it wouldn't matter that the sun goes down at night and the wind stops blowing sometimes. But at the moment, battery technology is nowhere near good enough to use at utility scale.

If you had a really good battery, it wouldn't matter that the sun goes down at night and the wind stops blowing sometimes. But at the moment, battery technology is nowhere near good enough to use at utility scale.

📖 Nathan Myhrvold

🌍 American  |  👨‍💼 Businessman

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Nathan Myhrvold’s statement encapsulates a fundamental challenge in the transition to renewable energy: energy storage. Renewable sources like solar and wind are inherently intermittent, producing energy only under certain conditions. The optimism here lies in the potential that an ideal, high-performance battery could eliminate these issues by storing surplus energy for use at any time, effectively decoupling energy production from consumption periods. This would revolutionize power grids and enable widespread, reliable use of renewable energy. However, Myhrvold's honesty about current battery technologies grounds the statement in reality. Present-day battery tech struggles with factors like cost, lifecycle, energy density, and scalability, making it insufficient for utility-scale deposition. This observation pushes me to recognize the vital role of innovation in the energy storage sector. Breakthroughs in battery materials, design, and alternative storage methods are critical to overcoming the intermittency problem and ensuring a sustainable energy future. Furthermore, the quote invites broader reflection on our energy infrastructure's adaptability and the need for supportive policies and investments aimed at accelerating technological advancements. It also highlights the interconnectedness of science, technology, and policy for effective climate action—without improvements in battery technology or analogous solutions, shifting to a sustainable energy economy remains a formidable challenge. Ultimately, Myhrvold’s insight underscores a significant gap that we, as a society, must address thoughtfully and urgently to realize the full promise of renewable energy resources.

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May 24, 2025

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